Patients with diabetes and related diseases in Homa Bay have called on the government to decentralise distribution of medicines for easy access.
They want the drugs distributed to dispensaries and other health facilities within their localities to cut transport costs.
Millicent Odhiambo said their lives are at stake due to difficulties in getting drugs for managing the condition.
Odhiambo, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, said although they get medicines free of charge they struggle to access them due to distance.
“Many patients who suffer from the disease spend a lot of money to travel to get drugs. The medicines should be made available at the local hospitals,” Odhiambo said.
Speaking on Tuesday when they marked World Diabetes Day in Homa Bay town, the patients said it is becoming difficult to manage the disease because its drugs are not easy to access.
Odhiambo said some patients fail to manage the condition at the right time leading to severe complications.
“Some of us also struggle to get enough food to stay healthy. Let the drugs be brought to nearby dispensaries for quick access by patients,” she added.
Officials from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) who support management of diabetes in Homa Bay called for more interventions to reduce the effects of the medical condition.
MSF project coordinator Bright Mukhuna said many health facilities at the lower level in Homa Bay do not offer services for non-communicable diseases.
He said most patients with such diseases are referred to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital when their condition gets worse.
MSF operates at the referral hospital where it runs a post-discharge clinic. Patients with non-communicable diseases are checked before they are referred to their local facilities.
“There is a need for concerted efforts to provide interventions to the diseases. We operate in some wards and we’ve realised that a lot of patients are suffering from non-communicable diseases,” Mukhuna said.
Mukhuna called on the Homa Bay county government to put more efforts in managing diabetes.
He said the disease presents a lot of social challenges including draining the financial muscles of families as they source for drugs.
“If the disease is not well managed, patients are not able to contribute to the development of the country,” he added.
Currently, MSF gives drugs for free at Nyalkinyi and Marindi hospitals and most patients have been going there for the free service.
Homa Bay non-communicable diseases coordinator Silas Mado said many people suffer from diabetes unknowingly.
“We’re urging residents to go for a test so that they can manage diabetes,” Mado said.
He said the county government will use community health promoters to identify patients and refer them to their nearest health facilities.
Community health promoters have been given comprehensive medical kits which they use to diagnose diseases including diabetes before referring patients.
